A. Leave without pay is a temporary absence from duty in non-pay status granted upon the employee’s request and at the discretion of management. It does not include non-pay status on days for which the employee would receive premium pay and does not include days on which the employee is not scheduled to work. The permissive nature of leave without pay distinguishes it from absence without leave (AWOL), which is a non-pay status resulting from a period of absence for which the employee did not obtain advance authorization or for which the request for leave has been denied – (Section 4.9). It shall be the practice of the LBJ American Samoa Medical Center Authority to grant leave without pay only when it will be of mutual benefit and interest to LBJ-ASMCA and to the employee. Leave without pay shall not be granted for the purpose of an employee participating in private employment.

B. Limitations and Standards – The maximum time limitation for leave without pay is one year. It shall be granted beyond 30 days for non-disqualifying serious illness or disability, pregnancy, job-related education or training or other valid reasons.

C. Granting Leave without Pay.

1. Authority – Leave without pay, which does exceed 30 days may be granted by the Chief Executive Officer or other operating official who have been authorized to certify by-weekly time sheets. Periods of leave without pay in excess of 30 days must be approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

2. Procedure – LBJ-ASMCA Form 303 shall be initiated to document periods of leave without pay in excess of two weeks.